Yahoo DFS Basketball: Saturday Picks

Yahoo DFS Basketball: Saturday Picks

Mike Barner breaks down a busy Saturday NBA Playoff slate.

Saturday brings a busy day in the NBA playoffs with four games on the schedule. The Nets and Nuggets will be looking to even their respective series at two games apiece while the Bucks and Rockets will try to put their opponents in 3-0 holes. The exciting slate also brings another opportunity to play Yahoo DFS, so let's examine some players to target and avoid while creating your lineup.

GUARDS

Ben Simmons, PHI at BKN ($45): Simmons laid an egg in the first game of this series, but he's been much more productive in the last two games. He really thrived with Joel Embiid (knee) out Thursday, scoring 61.3 Yahoo points. Not only did he score 31 points in that game, but he also chipped in two steals and three blocks. With Embiid considered doubtful for Game 4, the Sixers will likely have to rely on Simmons for more production once again.

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Gary Harris, DEN at SA ($15): Harris had his first poor shooting performance of the series in Game 3, scoring just 12 points on 4-for-13 shooting from the field. However, he stepped up with seven assists and has now scored at least 28.1 Yahoo points in all three games. Even with his disappointing regular season, he's logged at least 33 minutes in each of the first three games against the Spurs. At this reasonable price, he could be the key to opening up your budget for a superstar while still providing value.

Guard to Avoid

Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. PHI ($19): The Nets rely on Dinwiddie to provide an offensive spark off the bench and he's done just that by averaging 17.3 points per game in this series. The problem is, he's also averaging just 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists and has yet to contribute a steal or a block. Even if he can put forth another strong offensive showing Saturday, his limited overall production makes him someone to shy away from.

FORWARDS

DeMar DeRozan, SA vs. DEN ($36): If the Spurs can pull out a win here, they'll have the Nuggets in a scary 3-1 series hole. DeRozan has been their anchor so far, averaging 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals. While his assists are down slightly compared to his average during the regular season, he's helped make up for it with his added contributions in the scoring column. Expect him to have another high floor in this contest.

Luke Kennard, DET vs. MIL ($11): If there is a bright spot for the Pistons in the first two games of this series, it's that Kennard has scored 26.8 and 29.8 Yahoo points, respectively. He was even inserted into the starting five for Game 2 and ended up logging 35 minutes. With their lack of scoring talent, the Pistons should continue to lean on Kennard for added offense as they try to win a game at home.

Forward to Avoid

Jae Crowder, UTA vs. HOU ($15): It's been a horrible first two games for the Jazz, who lost both by at least 20 points. Crowder can't find the bottom of the net, shooting a combined 3-for-18 from the field. He provides very little in the way of assists or defensive stats, so when he's struggling like this, it's hard to roster him.

CENTERS

Nikola Jokic, DEN at SA ($43): If the Nuggets are going to even things up before they return to Denver for Game 5, they are going to need Jokic to carry them. He's remained productive despite them losing two of the first three games by averaging 17.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 9.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals for the series. He's a triple-double threat whenever he takes the floor, leaving him with a tremendously high floor.

Boban Marjanovic, PHI at BKN ($11): Despite playing no more than 18 minutes in any game of the series, Marjanovic has scored at least 27.1 Yahoo points in each contest. He might have logged more minutes in Game 3 with Embiid out, but he ended up fouling out. With Embiid likely to sit out Saturday, Marjanovic is a great option against a Nets team that allowed the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (42.6) to opposing centers during the regular season.

Center to Avoid

Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. PHI ($15): The absence of Embiid certainly helps Allen because it decreases the probability of him being in trouble. However, he still hasn't played more than 23 minutes in any of the first three games. He also isn't very involved in the offense, posting a 15.9 percent usage rate during the regular season. Marjanovic at least has similar upside and is four dollars cheaper, so it might be best to take the savings and avoid Allen.